Infrastructure damage

The impact on roads is quite localised, covering about 4% of Japan's geographical area.

For some companies, that allows them to operate in other parts of the country with few delays.

"Because of disruptions to infrastructure, [delivery company] UPS is suspending all services from northern and eastern Japan," said a UPS spokesperson.

"However, services to west Japan continue with minimum impact."

Damage to air freight should also be minimal for the time being.

The airport in Sendai has suffered extensive damage, but other major airports have not been directly affected by the natural disaster.

Stephen Badger, operations director at TNT Asia-Pacific said there had been some delays to deliveries, but the company was now operating at about 90-95% capacity.

Shipping

At least six Japanese seaports have seen major damage.

Destruction of roads has forced people to walk along blocked railway tracks

The biggest port in the north-east, Sendai, has been destroyed and will not be operational for months.

The impact of this on the global supply chain and international trade is considerable.

Factories have been closed because of delays in the shipments of parts.

"Many companies are struggling with the disruptions in roads, railways as well as power supplies being cut. All those are coming together to create a difficult situation for manufacturing companies," said Nezu Risaburo of the Fujitsu Research Institute.

The closure of the ports is estimated to be costing Japan $3.4bn (£2.1bn) in lost sea-borne trade each day, according to the Reuters news agency.

Recovery delayed

Analysts agree that the damage to infrastructure will inevitably hit economic output for the next three to six months.

And depending on how long the uncertainty continues around power shortages and supply chain disruptions, it could have a longer lasting impact.

"The worse the dip is in the second quarter, the worse the impact will be on overall gross domestic product this year," said Kilbinder Dosanjh of the Economist Intelligence Unit.